Most Imaginative Bartender Search

The 2012 Kentucky Bombay Sapphire GQ Magazine Most Imaginative Bartender final was held Aug. 28 at The Ice House.

The Voice-Tribune’s Angie Fenton emceed the contest, in which local bartenders had just 10 minutes to create their most unique cocktail using Bombay Sapphire gin. Once the judges narrowed the field to five, participants made a new cocktail using secret ingredients in an “Iron Chef” format.

Michael Anderson, the Kentucky winner of the 2012 Most Imaginative bartender search, was awarded a trophy and the opportunity to be featured in the December issue of GQ magazine. He and one guest will travel to Las Vegas Sept. 9-11 to compete in the national competition.

Photos by BILL WINE | Contributing Photographer

Signage.

Signage.

Most Imaginative Bartender Search.

Bethany Columbia and Jessica Wickett.

Marie Zahn and Krista Kemple.

T.J. Gordon with DJ Travisty provided the musical entertainment.

Most Imaginative Bartender Search.

Brad Jackson, Stacy and Jason Stark.

Jason Cobler, Chris George and Joseph Riggs.

Most Imaginative Bartender Search.

Felica Corbett and Ann Pham.

Mark Mintman, Kylee Marcy and Ann Mintman.

Angie Fenton and Matt Dumeyer.

Carol Lee and Amberly Dunstan.

Geoffrey Heyde.

The event venue was The Ice House.

Chea Beckley and Elizabeth Smith.

Most Imaginative Bartender Search.

Kyle Higgins and Joseph Riggs.

Emily Walz and Joseph Riggs.

Lauren Gargotto and Kyle Higgins.

Cocktails were served.

Nick Kosevich conducted the meeting with the bartenders prior to the start of the competition.